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View of a walkway and benches on the U.S. Capitol Grounds.History & DiscoveriesTop 5 Spots to Enjoy Spring on the Capitol CampusSpring in Washington, D.C., is one of the most beautiful times to visit the nation's capital. Learn about five beautiful, and less known spots, to enjoy the warm weather near the U.S. Capitol.Read the Story

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        ExpertiseArchitectureElectricalEngineeringGardeningHistoric PreservationMasonryMechanicsMetal WorkPainting and PlasterPlumbingVisitor ServicesWoodcrafting
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        PlaceBartholdi Fountain and GardensBrumidi CorridorsCannon House Office BuildingCapitol DomeCapitol Power PlantCapitol RotundaCapitol Subway SystemCryptDirksen Senate Office BuildingFort MeadeLongworth House Office BuildingNational Statuary HallO'Neill House Office BuildingOld Senate ChamberOld Supreme Court ChamberOlmsted TerraceOutdoor GardensPackard CampusRussell Senate Office BuildingSmall House RotundaSummerhouseSupreme Court BuildingThomas Jefferson BuildingU.S. Botanic Garden ConservatoryU.S. Botanic Garden Production FacilityU.S. Capitol BuildingU.S. Capitol GroundsU.S. Capitol Visitor Center
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        ProjectCannon RenewalCapitol Building Paint Analysis and Plaster RepairsCapitol Exterior Preservation - Stone and MetalDome Restoration ProjectGrant Memorial ConservationHeritage Asset ConservationOlmsted Terrace PreservationRussell Exterior Envelope ProjectStone Preservation on the Capitol Campus
Article TypeBehind the Scenes

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      History & Discoveries

  Windows of Capitol Hill
By stephen t ayers |January 22, 2013
Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers reflects on the almost 600,000 square feet of windows – of all different shapes, size and age – cared for by the AOC.
    Close-up detail photo with Statue of Freedom during conservation in 1993.

History & Discoveries

  Evolution of Women in Art at the U.S. Capitol
By michele cohen |March 12, 2024
An in-depth look at the evolution of women in art at the U.S. Capitol. First appearing primarily as allegorical figures representing ideals, not individuals. Later, as women took on more prominent positions in society and won basic rights, greater opportunities and visibility have led to more.
    The finished SR-253 hearing room, with the ceiling and plaster reliefs repainted to appear like carved stone, which is truer to the architects' original intention.

Behind the Scenes

  Before and After: Hearing Room Renovation for the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
By elizabeth yoder |July 8, 2020
The Senate Office Buildings jurisdiction recently completed a project to restore the hearing room for the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (SR-253) in the Russell Senate Office Building.
    Triangle shaped sculpture.

History & Discoveries

  New Perspective, New Discoveries: A Close-up Look at Crawford's Progress of Civilization
By michele cohen |September 28, 2016
We have made some interesting discoveries about the details of the sculptures and the sources of some of the depicted figures; we discovered and solved a few puzzles, and we also came across a few mysteries that we're still working on (and we'd welcome your help!).
    The Summerhouse, obscured by the plants, vines and trees of Olmsted's original design, blends into the landscape.

History & Discoveries

  Olmsted's Never-Built Retreat
By franklin bradley |September 21, 2021
The Story of the U.S. Capitol's South Summerhouse
    Portrait of Architect of the Capitol employee Arthur Logan.

Behind the Scenes

  The Path to Becoming an Architect
By rebecca chillrud |February 22, 2022
    Benjamin Henry Latrobe was the second Architect of the Capitol, first hired in 1803 by President Thomas Jefferson.

History & Discoveries

  Benjamin Henry Latrobe's Capitol Contributions
By kate holder |September 29, 2020
The Second Architect's Neoclassical Style Made a Lasting Impact
    Face of a statue.

History & Discoveries

  Inspiration from History
By sharon gang |March 19, 2014
Discover the meaning behind the Car of History Clock in the U.S. Capitol's National Statuary Hall. This marble sculpture, created in 1819, is among the oldest works of art in the Capitol. It depicts Clio, the muse of History, holding a book in which she records events as they unfold.
    Conditions of the U.S. Capitol's copper roof before replacement.

Projects

  Continuous Care of the U.S. Capitol Roof
By laura condeluci |March 25, 2020
Like most beloved national treasures from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Statue of Liberty, the U.S. Capitol Building roof requires continuous care. Once a section has been replaced, it is regularly inspected as part of preventive maintenance.
    History & Discoveries

  The Candy Desk
By sharon gang |June 30, 2015
Few traditions associated with Senate furniture are as intriguing as the "candy desk" on the floor of the Senate.
    Map illustration of John Adam's route: 1. Philadelphia 2. Downingtown 3. Lancaster 4. York 5. Frederick 6. Rockville 7. Georgetown *. Final Destination: Washington, D.C.

History & Discoveries

  John Adams' Carriage Ride to Washington D.C., in 1800
By franklin bradley |February 10, 2021
President John Adams issued a letter to all federal agencies on May 15, 1800, directing the "removal of the public offices, clerks and papers" from the capital city of Philadelphia. In that single sentence, Adams started the final move of the U.S. government to its permanent home, the newly created city of Washington, in the District of Columbia.
    Close-up photo of lion detail at the Supreme Court Building.

History & Discoveries

  Symbolism Roars to Life on Capitol Hill
By marty shore |March 6, 2018
Imagery of the lion is well-represented in the art and architectural details of the U.S. Capitol campus in Washington, D.C. Historically, lions were used in architectural ornamentation to provide a sense of strength, majesty and awe, especially on public buildings.
    Jets of water and a piece of stone.

Projects

  What's Happening Behind the Capitol Scaffolding?
By erin courtney |May 10, 2016
To answer this question, we travel to a brick building in Vienna, Virginia, where the hum of an industrial-sized machine is unmistakable. Littering the fenced-in courtyard of the building are massive slabs of stone of all shapes and colors.
    Drawing.

History & Discoveries

  Constructing the Capitol: The Oven
By matt guilfoyle |June 18, 2013
Too hot or too cold – there is no pleasing everyone when it comes to the right temperature in the office. While today the Architect of the Capitol provides a climate-controlled environment to the buildings of Capitol Hill, two centuries ago this wasn't the case.
    History & Discoveries

  Celebrating Irish-American Heritage Month
By erin courtney |March 17, 2016
For Americans of Irish heritage, there is much to celebrate. Beginning with our Nation's founding, Irishmen risked their lives to establish what would become the United States of America.
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